.... there is also a chance that is was dropped during the California Fur Rush in the early 1800’s which went right through this area.....

Originally Posted by JackalopeZL1

....I found a 1811 5 franc last year up here in gold rush county!....

I too have found several early French silver coins in CA . I agree with JackalopezL1 that it's probably a gold rush era loss. Based on the amount of wear on it. I do not think it was a mission era (ie.: pre-statehood) loss. Although the site you were at does date to earlier, yet I think your coin was lost later in the time-frame.

Here are the other 2 coins found so far from the site (not including some nuisance wheaties). The fractional 1/4 real copper is 1836 :